James Holmes Associate Gets Interviewed, Not As Second Suspect

The Aurora Police Department interviewed an “associate” of James Eagan Holmes, but are calling reports that the person is a second suspect “unconfirmed and inaccurate,” and further details of the investigation will not be released at this time.

In a statement Saturday night, Aurora Police Department spokeswoman Cassidee Carlson stated, “An associate of Holmes was interviewed this evening. There is no reason to believe that he is involved.”

Police identified Holmes, 24, a graduate student at the University of Colorado-Denver medical school, as the suspect in the shootings at a screening of “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo., shortly after midnight Friday morning. Twelve people were killed, including a 6-year-old girl, and 58 others were injured.

Holmes will appear before a judge at 9:30 a.m. on Monday in Arapahoe County District Court in nearby Centennial. Charges aren’t expected to be filed at this early stage; the hearing is intended to advise Holmes that he is the focus of the investigation and to set conditions for his continued detention.

Carol Chambers, district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe County, wouldn’t address potential charges, telling reporters Friday that her focus was on providing information and resources to the victims and their families.

Eventually, Holmes will almost certainly be charged and he will have to enter a plea. If he pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, or if his attorneys argue that he is incompetent to stand trial, proceedings could stretch out for months or years — even indefinitely.